Studding



c. .1. McELHENY.

Feb. 27, 1 923.

swoome. FILED AUG.4, 1 922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

CZa'reizce JMciZkfz I a t 130m Feb. 27, 1923. I 1,446,916.. I c. J. McELHENY.

STUDDING. FILEDIAUGA, I922. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i' k k Wm 49 5czameeJ/wczu Patented Feb. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES CLARENCE J. McELI-IENY, OF TAMPA, FLORIDA.

STUDDING.

Application filed August 4, 1922. Serial No. 579,703.

To (all to ham it may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE J. MoEL- I-IENY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Tampa, in the county of Hillsborough and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Studding; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in metal framing or studding for plastered walls and partitions, having for an object to provide a sheet metal framing, the units of construction of which are formed of single strips of material bent into shapes adapted to be inter-connected and to afford the greatest possible rigidity and stability as a supporting structure for plaster board, lathes, et cetera.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide framing of the character mentioned having novelly formed fastening devices thereon for permitting of inter-connecting of the different structural units and also, to permit of the positive connection of plaster boards or lathes thereto.

Yet another and equally important object of the invention is to provide novelly formed units which may be advantageously emv ployed for the forming of corners, junctions and doorways or like openings in a building. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying illustrative drawings, and in the detailed following description based thereon, shown several possible embodiments of. the same.

In these drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary detail in perspective showing framing in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail in perspective showing the manner in which the plaster boards are secured to the framing;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section through. a plaster wall, the laster boards of which are secured through t e use of the improved framing Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail in perspective of one of the forms of units of constriction employed for forming corners; an

Figure 5 is a similar view of a slightly modified form of stud for use in making unctions as between walls.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, the improved framing may be stated to com-prise vertically dlsposed spaced studding strips, hereinafter referred to as studs, indicated by the numerals 1, 2 and 3. The studding member 1 is especially adapted for use upon that portion of the framing adjacent a doorway or similar opening and comprises a single strip of sheet metal bent into channeled or U- shaped form as clearly shown in the Figure 3, the opposite sides thereof being extended laterally as indicated at 4, to provide septums, carrying bendable fingers 5 upon their outer marginal portions. The upper and lower extremities of the studding member 1 are bifurcated to permit of reception of. connecting members, hereinafter more fully described therein, while pairs of horizontally aligned openings, such as indicated by the numeral 6 are formed in the basal portion thereof and afford effectual means for permitting of connection of the horizontal clutch members, also hereinafter more fully described, thereto. In this connection, it should be noted that the bendable fingers 5 are formed in pairs wherby they may be bent in opposite directions for effectually securing the adjacent ends of juxtaposed strips of plaster boards or similar material.

The stud 2 is formed of a single strip of sheet metal and has the opposite or side portions thereof bent upon themselves to provide Walls indicated at 7, thus rendering the studs substantially H-shaped in cross section as clearly shown in the Figure 3. The extremities of the stud 2 are extended laterally to provide septums 8, .while pairs of bendable fingers 9 are formed upon the marginal portions of such septums and serve for" purposes corresponding to that of the fingers 5.

The stud 3 is particularly adapted for use at junctions between walls built upon the.

improved framing and comprises a single piece of sheet metal bent into formation corresponding to that of the stud 2, having walls 10 formed upon its opposlte portlons while laterally extending septums 11 are provided therewith and carry upon certain of their marginal portions, pairs of bendable securing fingers 12. To lend to the rigidity of the body or basal portion of the stud 3 the same may be and preferably is provided with a longitudinally disposed depres sion or groove 13, shown in the Figure 3. Channeled strips or junction studs 14 are employed in connection with the stud 3 consisting of single strips of sheet metal bent into substantially U-shaped formation when viewed in cross section and havin the body 0r basal portions thereof folded upon themselves in the manner indicated at 15, whereby the adjacent bendable fingers 3 upon the outer marginal portions of the septums 11 may be enga ed in such folded portions in the manner shown in the Figure 3, whereupon the folded basal portions of the studs are clamped into engagement with the fingers 12, thus forming a positive connection as between the members 3 and 14.

'The branch channeled studs 14, of course, may be used in connection with any of the studs 1,2 and 3, in the manner indicated in the Figure 3, wherein. a branch studding 14' corresponding to the stud 14 is connected to one side of the stud 2, such connection being effected by engaging the bendable fingers upon the adjacent side of such stud 2' into the molded or crimped basal portion of the branch stud 14' and then clamping the same thereon.

These studs 14; and 14, as hereinbefore noted, are substantially U-shaped in formation and have septums 15 formed upon their opposite sides carrying bendable fingers 16 which when bent into engagement with plaster boards, such as herein indicated by the reference character B, will serve to firmly and positively secure the same in position. As means for inter-connecting and relatively bracing the studs 1, 2 and 3, I preferably employ horizontally disposed spaced struts, such as indicated by the numeral 17 in the Figure 1. These struts 17 comprise single strips of sheet metal bent into substantially U-shaped formation, when viewed in cross section. and have longitudinally extending bendable fingers 18 formed upon the opposite ends of the side walls thereof. When assembling the framing, these struts 17 are placed between the studs 1 and 2 and 2 and 3, orin any desired relation, and as vshown, have their opposite ends engaged in the channeled portions of such studs, while the longitudinally disposed fingers 18 extend through the openings 6 formed in the basal portions of such studs and are then bent upon themselves into substantially right angular positions as shown in the Figure 1. With the fingers 18 in their right angularly bent positions, it will be obvious that the struts 17 will be locked in engagement with their particular supporting studs and in consequence, that material relative movement therebetween will be prevented; likewise, that such studs will be relatively braced, and in consequence, a framing possessing the desired rigidity and stability will be had.

For forming the upper and lower sides of the framing consisting of the studs 1, 2, 2 and 3, and the studs 17, channeled members 19 are provided, and as shown in the F igure 1, are formed of single strips of sheet metal bent into substantially U-shaped formation and having horizontally disposed flanges 20 formed upon their opposite ex tremities. These channeled members v19 are arranged in substantially parallel relation to the struts 17- and are engaged in the bifurcated extremities of the studs 1, 2 and 3, as shown in the Figure 1. To secure such members against undue movement with respect to the studs receiving the same, fingers are formed in the marginal portions 20 thereof by snipping portions of the flanges 20 witha pair of shears or similar implement, whereupon the fingers so formed are bent downwardly and clampingly engaged with the adjacent portions of the side walls of the studs. In this connection, it should be noted that those portions of the members 19 adjacent the side walls of the studs 1 are formed with single oppositely disposed fingers, such as indicated by the numeral 21, the same being bent downwardly and clampingly engaged with the adjacent portions of the side walls of said stud 1. A pair of fingers are formed in the oppositely disposed flanges 20 of those members 19 received in the opposite ends of the stud 2 and these fingers are bent downwardly upon themselves as indicated at 22 and clampingly engaged with the adjacent portions of the side walls 7 of said studs. In a manner corresponding to the forming of the fingers 2, those' portions of the flanges 20 upon the members 19 are cut and bent downwardly into engagement with the adjacent portions of the side walls 11 of the stud 3, thus securing such members against undue movement with relation thereto and lending to the rigidity and stability of the framing.

To connect the upper and lower members 19 to the ceiling and flooring of a building inwhich the framing is built, plugs or ment of a projecting portion of the plug in the channeled portion of the members 19, lateral movement of the same with respect thereto w ll be prevented, and in consequence, the tying or connecting of the framing to these portions of the building will be ensured.

In arranging the plaster boards B upon the opposite sides of framing constructed in accordance with the invention, the same are arranged in positions engaging the side walls of the particular studs adjacent thereto. The septums of the studs will afford effectual means for preventing longitudinal shifting movement of the boards with relation to the framing, while with bending of the connecting fingers 5, 9, and 12 over the adjacent portions of said boards, their outward movement or displacement with respect to the adjacent portions of the studs will be prevented. I able fingers of the various studs with ad- In engaging the bendjacent portions of the plaster boards B, said fingers are preferably bent in opposite directions as shown in the Figure 2, that is, one in one direction and the other in the opposite direction so that the various pairs of fingers will serve as means for connecting juxtaposed sections of plaster boards B to the studs.

In order that connection as between the upper and lower members such as indicated at 19 and junction studs such as indicated at 3 may be effected, I preferably arrange upon the adjacent ends of channeled strips 19' to be so connected, branches which are engaged in the moulded or crimped portions 15 of the branch studs 14 whereupon the same are lampingly inter-connected and the strips 19 thus firmly secured in positions with respect to the frame.

\Vith a view towards providing the framing with effectual practical form. of studs which may be employed at the corners of walls built therewith, studs indicated in their entireties by the numeral 24 are provided and consist of single strips of metal bent upon themselves to provide a pair of shoulders or walls 25 and 26, the same be ing preferably arranged at substantially right angles as shown Hi the Figure 3 and having bendable fingers 28 and 29 formed upon septums 30 and 31. These fingers 28 and 29 are adapted to be bent in the fashion shown in Figure 3 whereby to positively connect or secure sections of plaster boards B in position with respect to the studs 24. The upper and lower ends of these studs 24 are preferably bifurcated, as indicated at 32, in order that top or bottom strips, such as hereinbefore indicated by the numeral 19 ma be received therein.

11 the Figure 5, I have shown a slightly modified form of stud, indicating the same by the numeral 33. This stud is formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to be substantially H-shaped in cross section. having side walls 34 provided with laterally extending septums 35 carrying upon their outer ends, alternately arranged bendable fingers 36, serving for a purpose corresponding to that of the fingers 5, 9 and 12. The body or web portion of the stud 33 is formed with a longitudinal depression or groove 37, the opposite portions of which are slotted as indicated at 38 in order that positive connection may be made with upper and lower connecting strips, notshown, serving for a purpose corresponding to the strips 19.

While I have herein shown several possible arrangements of the units of construction employed in connect-ion with the improved framing, it is to be fully understood that the units may be varied in their arrangement, such as conditions or preference may dictate. As illustration, any number of the studs 2 or 2 may be employed in a length of framing constructed in accordance with the invention, as well as any number of the junction studs indicated by the numeral 3 and comprehending the branch studs 14. Likewise, it may be necessary to provide the framing at its corners with those forms of studs indicated by the numeral 24 and obviously, any number o'fthese latter studs may be employed. The spacing or end studs 1 may be advantageously employed at the ends of framing constructed in accordance with the invention or for forming doorways. window openings and the like. I

Manifestly, the construct-ion shown is capable of considerable modification and such modifications as is within the scope of my claims. I consider within the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. Framing of the character described comprising vertically disposed spaced studs having septums formed on their opposite portions and laterally extending bendable fingers on the free marginal portions thereof, horizontally disposed struts having bendable fingers on their opposite ends engagable in openings formed in the body portions of said studs. and horizontally arranged channeled members received in the upper and lower ends of the studs having portions of the sides thereofcut and bent upon themselves to engage adjacent portions of the studs.

2. Framing of the character described comprising vertically disposed spaced studs formed of single strips of material, certain of said studs being of substantially U-shaped formation in cross section and certain others of said studs being of substantially H-shaped formation in cross section, laterally extending septums formed upon the opposite side port-ions of each of said studs, outwardly disposed fingers formed integral with the side marginal portions of said septums, horizontally. disposed struts having longituin the body portions of said studs, and connecting elements arranged in the upper and lower port-ions of said studs having portions of the same secured to adjacent portions of the studs.

3. Framing of the character described comprising vertically disposed spaced studs, certain of said studs being substantially U-shaped in cross section, certain others of said studs being substantially H-shaped in cross section, laterally disposed septums formed upon the opposite side portions of each of said studs, outwardly extending bendable fingers formed upon the outer marginal portions of said septums, branch studs substantially U-shaped in cross section having the bottoms thereof molded upon themselves and adapted to be engaged and clampingly connected with the bendable fingers of certain of said studs, horizontally disposed struts having longitudinally disposed bendable fingers on their opposite ends engageable in openings formed in the body portions of said first studs, and horizontally arranged channel members received in the upper and lower ends of said studs having portions of the side thereof cut away and bent into engagement with adjacent portions of said studs.

4. Framing of the character described comprising vertically disposed spaced studs having oppositely disposed walls formed thereon, laterally disposed septums extending from said walls, outwardly extending bendable fingers formed integral with the outer marginal portions of said septums, horizontally disposed struts having longi tudinally disposed bendable fingers on their opposite ends engageable in openings formed in the body portions of said studs and other horizontally disposed means connected to the upper and lower ends of said studs for facilitating connection of the same to the walls and ceiling of a building receiving the framing.

.5. In combination with framing of the character described, a stud comprising a single strip of sheet metal bent upon itself into substantially U-shaped formation in cross section, laterally and outwardly disposed septums formed integral with the opposite side port-ions of said stud, and pairs of bendable fingers formed integral with the outer marginal portions of said septums.

6. In combination with framing of the character described, a stud comprising a single piece of material bent into substantially H-shaped formation in cross section, laterally 'and outwardly disposed septums formed upon the oppos te sides of said stud intermediately of the opposite walls thereon, and bendable fingers formed integral with the outer marginal portions of said septums.

7. In combination with framing of the character described, a stud comprised of a single piece of material, oppositely disposed walls formed upon the opposite sides of the body portion of said stud, septums formed upon the outer sides of each of said walls and arranged in substantially parallel relation to the body portion f the stud, bendable fingers formed integral with the outer marginal portions of each of said septums, and branch studs comprising single pieces of material bent upon themselves into substantially U-shaped formation having their basal portions molded and adapted to clampingly receive certain of the bendable fingers formed upon said septums.

CLARENCE J. MoELHE-NY.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 

